Clark State Community College student Angelina Nance has been named a Phi Theta Kappa New Century Scholar–the top scholar in Ohio, a Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholar and a member of the All-Ohio Academic First Team and the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Nance will address the recipients of the All-Ohio Academic Teams at the Ohio Statehouse on April 25, 2013.

Nance is the president of Clark State’s Student Senate, a student ambassador, a work-study in the Office of Career Management and a member of the women’s Eagles softball team and Student Conduct Committee. After she graduates from Clark State in May, she plans to continue her social work studies at The Ohio State University Lima Campus. Her ultimate education goals include completing a master's degree in cultural diversity and teach at a community college.

"I have been proud to watch Angelina's leadership skills blossom at Clark State," said Nina Wiley, director of retention services and student life. "She has transformed Student Senate into a strong voice for students and helped regain its place within the Clark State governance structure." The New Century Scholars program and All-USA Community College Academic Team, which is sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group and presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa, share a common application and together recognize outstanding community college students. More than 1,800 students were nominated from more than 800 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider grades, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state, plus one student from Canada and one additional student chosen from among one of the remaining seven sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa is represented internationally.

Guistwhite Scholars are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership accomplishment and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs. The 20 scholarship recipients for 2013 were selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 1,800 applicants, the second highest offered by Phi Theta Kappa.

The Guistwhite Scholar Program is named in honor of the late Dr. Jack Guistwhite and his widow, Margaret Guistwhite. Dr. Guistwhite established the first designated transfer scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa members at Florida Atlantic University in 1975. The Guistwhite Scholarships were established by Phi Theta Kappa in 1992.

"Dr. Jack Guistwhite planted a seed in 1975 that resulted in more than 750 colleges and universities designating transfer scholarships for thousands of Phi Theta Kappa members," said Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Director Dr. Rod A. Risley. "It is fitting that we continue to honor our students who excel in scholarship and leadership in Phi Theta Kappa as Guistwhite Scholars in memory of Jack and in honor of his wife Margaret. Through their generosity and those who support scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, these students will receive funds to help them complete their degrees."

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,280 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.